Is NYU's nursing program even good?

binggrad · Jun 9, 2013

Purdue725 or cmr4188: I'm starting NYU's accelerated BSN this fall and had some questions regarding the program. What did you think of the simulation lab? And did the school offer services or help you in finding a job in any way?

spade11 · Jun 9, 2013

Hi Binggrad,

To be completely honest, there is absolutely nothing in the SIM lab that can REALLY mimic what real life is like. Your fundamental labs ARE important. You learn a lot of basic skills that you will carry with you throughout your nursing career. As for the SIM labs--honestly, I would've rather had more time in the hospital.

But definitely do the SIM lab questions!!! Even if you don't write down a lot, read about it! The lab will flow much easier and you'll make connections really quickly. :) I thought of the lab as a reinforcement of what I read about the previous night. It also depends on your instructor.

I had tried to ask for help with jobs but got absolutely no where. They may tell you that the Wasserman center will be able to help you---they DO NOT. They are not equipped to deal with hospitals, nor do they have the contacts.

My biggest suggestion in the job search area is that even though you're doing accelerated, get into an externship program outside of school! This means more legwork (well computer work) on your end but it is worth it and you make connections with hospitals a lot faster. I know SO MANY nurses who didn't bother to get externships and now they're struggling. You'd apply before the end of your last Spring Semester...going into your last summer semester. The programs that I know of allowed you to work at the end of your Summer Semester (when there was a small break) and then part-time during your last semester.

If you have a heart set on a specific hospital, I would even suggest volunteering maybe once a week if your schedule allows it.

Granted, this all depends on the availability of time you have and would be conducive to your life.

blondie1887 · Oct 2, 2013

hey, just wondering for those that did the RN-BSN program, what was your GPA? I am applying to NYU for next year and wondering what my chances are.

CariocaRN · Oct 3, 2013

NCLEX passing rate for 2012. Source: NYS Nursing:Nursing Programs:RN NCLEX Results: 2008-2012

NYU: 89.6%

CUNY Schools:

Hunter College: 95.9%

City Tech: 95.2%

College of Staten Island: 88.3%

In all 3 CUNY schools you can do the RN-BSN bridge for a fraction of NYU's price.

NYU degree might help you get your foot in the door, but once you are in, you will be making the same amount of money as CUNY graduates who obtained their degree for free.

Be smart, don't pay for a name. A BSN is a BSN is a BSN. It's your determination and years of experience that will get your dream job, not your school.

DoGoodThenGo · Oct 3, 2013

NCLEX passing rate for 2012. Source: NYS Nursing:Nursing Programs:RN NCLEX Results: 2008-2012
NYU: 89.6%
CUNY Schools:
Hunter College: 95.9%
City Tech: 95.2%
College of Staten Island: 88.3%
In all 3 CUNY schools you can do the RN-BSN bridge for a fraction of NYU's price.
NYU degree might help you get your foot in the door, but once you are in, you will be making the same amount of money as CUNY graduates who obtained their degree for free.
Be smart, don't pay for a name. A BSN is a BSN is a BSN. It's your determination and years of experience that will get your dream job, not your school.

To be fair it seems as if the numbers quoted for CSI and City Tech are for their ADN programs, whilst Hunter-Bellevue and NYU are obviously BSN. That off the bat will make a difference as most top and middle tier NYC hospitals are either four year grad degree preferred or mandatory.

The other thing to consider it how long it will take for entry and completion of the program. By far NYU has the largest class of any of the above mentioned nursing programs (442 in 2012), and nearly 90% of those GNs passed the NCLEX on their first attempt.

IIRC Hunter-Bellevue only has 100 slots for their nursing program split 50/50 between undergrad and ABSN (second degree). There are easily >100 if not close to 200 applicants per year for the undergrad program, many if not a majority are "highly qualified" meaning GPAs at or over 3.5 with decent NLN scores. What this translates into is it could be a year or two maybe even more before a HB pre-nursing student is formally accepted into the program. Meanwhile back at the ranch given the larger incoming class size the odds are much greater for acceptance into NYU on the first attempt with the same grades and test scores.

CUNY schools are "hot" right now for nursing because they offer a quality education at a reasonable cost. However now that it seems everyone and their mother wants to become a nurse every single one of those programs have vastly more applicants than they have open slots. So while you may be *saving* money going to a City University program, you could also be sitting around stuck in pre-nursing unable to take things to the next level.

SophiasCarnation · Oct 26, 2013

I can only speak for myself and my experience at NYU but I'd like to clarify some of the misconceptions I keep reading about NYU across the web.

I started there about 2 months ago in the Accelerated Program and thus far, really enjoy it. It's INCREDIBLY difficult and time-consuming but I see where my money is going - professors who frequently respond to threads, grades posted within 24 hours, e-mails if you don't do as well as you should and inquiring if you need tutoring, great outlines for exams and generally, great professors. I'm not too pleased with my clinical but these rotate every semester so I'm sure I'll have a better experience next time.

Class size is as follows:

Lectures are 200-300 students... This may sound like a lot but the lecture is video taped, there are power points posted before class and if there are any questions, students post them on the classes forum and they usually get answered within an hour

Simulation is 10-12 students - this is the "skills" portion of nursing, the administering meds, assessing a wound, etc. You learn how to do it, practice it in front of the class and get critiqued for it over and over

Clinical is 5 students - this is the hospital portion. We're scattered around the city so your experience will vary, whether you're at Langone or Bellevue.

Admittedly, there are an outrageous number of assignments and exams scheduled all at once (some, unnecessarily) but it's manageable if you are organized and manage your time well. You learn in every medium from I tunes U to website videos to powerpoint which is a pain but I guarantee you'll become more technologically adept. I realize it's expensive but so is living in NYC. I'm doing this all off of loans - we're not all rich kids - but I anticipate that finding a job will be ok following graduation.

And about applying here as opposed to SUNY Downstate - you get what you pay for. I've worked at that hospital in the past and it's not the most up to date hospital. Not to say that you can't get as much from it but it is 2013 and you're going to need to know how to scan in meds, administer them and know what's up and coming throughout your career as a nurse. SUNY Downstate isn't there yet (though the doctors/nurses/PAs are phenomenal). At NYU, you work with the newest medical "sites" (e.g. Epic, docucare) and use what they use in the hospital. You master it because you practice it so frequently. Not sure if the other schools are like that.... Also, (and again, no experience at Hunter) buttttt I think it's crazy that to get into that program they require Organic Chemistry. There is absolutely no need for that. I didn't apply to Columbia because I didn't want to take the GRE and as it turned out, NYU worked out perfectly. There are flaws to this program - sometimes the skills exams (like blood pressure) are not scheduled very well and they schedule more assignments than they can handle but what I like most about it is that they want you to succeed. It's probably not from a place of "Oh, I care so much for this student" and more from a place of "Well, let's keep our statistics up" but you will learn the material from charismatic professors whose voices do NOT put you to sleep at 7 in the morning.

Visit, feel it out and talk to students but don't discount it because of the price. And check out what their admission requirements are - it'll make you wonder why it's the "easiest" to get into yet still has the highest NCLEX passing rate, which by the way is what is needed to become a nurse.

ash6117 · Jan 10, 2014

I enjoyed your input on the program.. I have a few questions if you don't mind. About how many days a week do you have classes and do you get to make your own schedule? I live on Long Island do you think I would be able to commute? Also when you received your acceptance did they offer you any type of scholarship? I would love to apply to NYU but I am afraid of being so much in debt and not being able to find a job right away. I would like to work at a Long Island hospital after graduation.

Andrew H.Hsia · Sep 18, 2015

yes. you have simulation lab and then real clinic every other week. doesn't really prepare y ou well. Columbia has real clinical two times a week for the whole year.

Kieshadudley · Sep 30, 2016

Hey if you don't mind me asking what are the pre req requirements I could not find it on the site

asi91 · Oct 20, 2016

hi there,

i have a pretty low gpa and completed all my pre-reqs except nutrition... im going to apply to NYU because its the only accelerated RN program I am aware of around NY and NJ.

I do not mind the tuition b/c regardless we have to pay for our education.

what were the pros and cons? how are the professors? and clinicals' are every two weeks, were you able to still gain some experience ?? thanks so much and please give me any advice that can get me accepted ! thanks! -Asi

NikNikV · Mar 17, 2017

Hi all-

I just found this thread so joining the party a little late but it's really great information. I applied to NYU as well for the Fall of 2017. I'll be graduating from my undergrad in May so looking to start right away. Cost was a factor but I found that most of the programs I applied to - Quinnipiac, UMass, Fairfield, Northeastern - were about the same.

Class size at NYU does seem a bit daunting but as many have stated, since it is lecture which is more of a presentation of information/memorization rather than discussion oriented, it probably is doable. I am troubled by clinical only being every other week as that doesn't seem like enough real-life, hands-on experience.

Last tid-bit.....NYU's decision date is extremely late. Applied in November (I realize that was well before the March 1 priority due date but was working on all the other applications so just got it in when it was done) and just spoke with someone in admission that stated decisions will be received before June 15 but no other information is given. Considering acceptances have already been rolling in with commitments/non-refundable deposits needed as soon as within 2 weeks of receiving the decision and as late as May 1, how is anyone supposed to wait for NYU.

All in all, still hoping to get an acceptance. I am tossed between that program and another. I live in Westchester so could commute to save money but will probably decide to bite the bullet and live in the city - seems it will be more convenient and will provide more of a full experience.

Good luck to anyone else that has applied for 2017 and thanks for all the information.

Love4nursin · Apr 24, 2017

Hi all!! NikNikV I also applied to NYU for fall of 2017. I just received my admissions decision in the mail last week and I was accepted. I hope you've gotten your reply by now because you applied wayyyyyyy before me. My last transcript was sent in March 1 which you know is the deadline. I haven't accepted it yet because I was still waiting to hear from Pace which I heard is terrible from posts on this site but I've been wanting to hear from others. You live in Westchester, have you applied to Pace? Why or why not? I just want to know if you've heard the same terrible reviews as I have. Two nurses at the hospital which I work have attended NYU and they seem to have loved it! They emphasize that the professors really care and want you to pass. They did mention that the classes were huge but one of them suggested just finding a good small study group and you'll be fine. Clinical is every other week because they rotate between sim lab and clinicals. Both of them seemed to have good experiences there and they're great nurses so I think we will too. I really hope you've gotten your acceptance by now. Good luck on anything else!